Civil War re-enactment comes to Westborough
By Joyce DeWallace, Contributing Writer
Living their roles as local citizens in 1861 are program organizers, (l to r) Kris Allen of the Historical Society, Bill Gundling of the Historical Commission and Leslie Leslie of the Historical Society. Photo/Joyce DeWallace
Westborough – The grounds of Westborough High School were recently transformed into a Union soldiers’ camp. The 13th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Company F re-enactors set up canvas tents called dog tents, which were outfitted with camp beds, Civil-War-era lanterns, mess kits and weapons.
The day’s activities included company drills, musket-firing demonstrations, and different types of fires showcasing the daily life of a soldier in the early 1860’s.
Children were encouraged to participate in drills, and adults, to interact with the soldiers and citizens of this bygone time.
Living History Day was co-sponsored by the Westborough Historical Society and the Westborough Historical Commission to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. Members wore clothing appropriate to the era and did traditional tasks like knitting socks, drying herbs and wrapping bandages that would have supported the war effort.
A highlight of the day was an afternoon concert by Luanne Crosby, who played her guitar and sang music that was popular in both the North and the South. Her research spanned several months, and her program included patriotic songs, sentimental tunes, and melodies that spoke of love of the country and willingness to die for the cause.
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- John Hadley (far right) shows his young troops, Paul Howarth, Nick Haimes and Nathan Harris, how to take a canteen apart to use as a dish over an open fire. Hadley participates in eight to 10 re-enactments and encampments a year. Westborough hosted the Civil War program Sept. 24. For more photos of the event, go to page TK. Photo/Joyce DeWallace
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- Bill Cutler (left), who has been a Union soldier for the past 16 years, believes that participating in these events makes the Civil War come alive. John Kreell attended the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War because his son loves anything to do with the Army. Photo/Joyce DeWallace
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- Living their roles as local citizens in 1861 are program organizers, (l to r) Kris Allen of the Historical Society, Bill Gundling of the Historical Commission and Leslie Leslie of the Historical Society. Photo/Joyce DeWallace
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- Leslie Leslie wears a typical Civil War era dress, complete with crocheted snood and mitts, as she knits socks for the soldiers with her wooden needles. Her antique parasol is made of linen and embellished with hand embroidery and cut work.
Short URL: http://www.communityadvocate.com/?p=14029
Posted by Community Advocate Staff
on Oct 8 2011. Filed under Byline Stories, Education, People and Places, Photo Galleries, This Just In, Westborough.
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